If you have ever so much as glanced through this blog, you will know I am all for the empowerment of women. With this in mind, Hillary Clinton should be my obvious choice for the next US presidency, but in reality it’s not that simple. I am a human being before I am a woman, and as a human being I believe that the world cannot afford another wily politician in the White House.
Whether we like it or not, the President of the United States of America is the most powerful leader in the world. His/her decisions and policies have an enormous impact on world peace, environmental progress, and the global economy. Here in Australia, our government has had a very long and dependent relationship with the USA, which means a change in the presidency has a trickle down effect which can have a very real and negative impact on the lives of ordinary Australians. Just ask the Australian troops sent to Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam and Kuwait .
In many ways the world is at the mercy of the United States, and this means it matters to all of us who sits in the Oval Office. After the chaos and war mongering of the Bush years, the world needs new hope, integrity, inclusiveness, peace. It needs the quiet confidence and vision of Barack Obama. Sorry Hillary, you’re just too polished and false.
Of course, this is all irrelevant because I don’t get to vote in the US elections, and either Clinton or Obama still has to beat a Republican in the final race. But, I’m going to be optimistic here and assume a Democrat is going to be the next President of the United States, and that Democrat should be Barack Obama. In a world on the edge, where everything is spin and too little is being done to lead us into a new day, a visionary leader is what we need. A leader with conviction, someone who actually cares and doesn’t just mouth the right words.
That’s why I wish I could vote for Barack Obama as President. That’s why YOU should vote for Barack Obama. Vote for someone who believes in a better, fairer America. A better, fairer world. Just once. Just once.
And for those who want real convincing, check out this great article by Caroline Kennedy, A President Like My Father. She says all that needs to be said.
Kelly
Photo provided by gabriel_michael
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I sure do hope you’re right about Obama: I want to believe that he’s a true reformer - he is certainly quite inspiring - but it’s hard to see either of the parties in the US as capable of bringing actual change…..they are both so completely and intricately under the thumb of their primary, great benefactor, which is US corporate dollars. Still, we can hope.
It’s also always interesting to see how open-minded folks like yourself view the US presidential race; someone very wise once said that everyone in the world ought to be able to vote for the US president!
Great site by the way. I’m a Dad, so She-Power is not my thing but good content is always interesting.
Eric
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change the world, one post at a time
http://www.changeany1thing.com
Great post. I find it amazing how much more interested in politics I am these days, especially American politics. I guess I’m old enough to realise that to have a change we have to be willing to do the thing we have to instead of live in apathy as if our votes don’t count. Do you realise Americans polling day is usually a day of the week? I wonder how we impressed we would be to have to take time out of our busy days to vote? Let’s hope the Americans realise a huge change is needed and whilst Dennis Kucinich was my vote, he’s now dropped out (he doesn’t buy into the economics of politics like all the others and therefore got blacklisted by the media), I’ve always liked Obama because he’s young, fresh, has lived on the real side of life (vs silver spoon) and knows the real issues. Like you I just hope the greed of past presidencies doesn’t rub off!
Cheers
Lisa :^)
I can’t believe your elections are held during the work week. That’s atrocious, especially considering no one has to vote. Really disadvantages people in more vulnerable work situations.
In Australia, we vote on Saturdays and we must vote, every one of us. Some people have told me they think compulsary voting is undemocratic, but the idea is that if all citizens must exercise their rights, then every section of society is represented in parliament. Rich or poor, educated or not, everyone has one vote. For this reason, I actually think it’s a good thing.
Kelly
I found your blog through your post on Zen Habits, (loved the friendship guide, by the way), and as I’m reading through your content, I’m finding lots of intelligent and interesting entries. This one caught my eye because I’m totally in love with Barack. He’s got me excited about politics in a way no one else has. I’m nineteen and so many of my peers are too jaded to even care about politics, let alone vote. I think that when Barack gets into office and starts fixing the hundreds of things wrong with the government and our country, people will start paying attention. They’ll remember that our government is supposed to be for the people, and BY the people.
I had no idea Australia had a compulsary vote! That’s such a good idea. It sort of forces people to care and fully participate in politics. A democracy can’t work unless the people participate. I really need to look into Australian politics a bit more.
I think I rambled on a little too long, but I really love your blog and I’m definitely going to bookmark it. Have a lovely day!
Alexa, I’m glad you liked my friendship article and decided to click through to say hello.
I too find Obama inspiring and hope he may represent some new possibilities for both your country, it’s allies (us Aussies included) and international relations on the world stage. I also find it inspiring that a young woman of 19 appreciates her right to vote and participate in the governance of her country, when so many others don’t. In Australia, we may have compulsary voting, but many people are quite turned off and disallusioned with politics. They feel that they have no real say. But they do. One vote counts. One vote added to all the other votes makes a country, and a leader represents his/her country so they better damn well do us proud.
Look forward to seeing you here again.
Kelly